Kitchen Faucet Trends for 2012

One of the hottest kitchen faucet trends is the gooseneck faucet.   The gooseneck faucet easily extends to your necessary length in seconds and retracts smoothly due to its solid construction.

We recommend the Richilieu line of gooseneck faucets to our clients due to their reliability and solid state brass construction.  The spray option also offers a controlled spray environment without unnecessary random spraying messes to clean-up afterwards. 

Click here for more information on Richilieu Faucets

Top 10 Bathroom Upgrade Ideas

We get asked about the top bathroom renovation ideas, so here is our latest top 10 list of the most popular bathroom upgrades for your renovation project:

10 Custom Mirrors & Framing
9 Decorative Columns
8 Seamless Showers
7 Jacuzzi Tubs
6 Rain Shower Heads
5 Upgraded Toilets
4 Upgraded Marble Floors and Tiles
3 Upgraded Cabinets
2 Faucets
1 Marble Countertops

Let us know your thoughts about our Top 10 lists.
Dennis

Closet Pant Racks

One of the most common feature recently that many of our clients are asking for is closet pant racks.

Some of the reasons folks like these are:
-easy organization of pants
-quick access to 12 or more pants at a time
-colour options including chrome, copper, bronze to name a few
-space savers compared to traditional pant organization systems

Here is a picture of one we completed this week...

These closet pant racks pull out for easy access and putaway and they also are available with soft close hinches as well.  Enjoy!

Wood vs. Steel Studs Debate

Wood vs. Steel Studs has been almost a religous debate among contractors and homeowners alike for years now.  Instead of taking one side or another, we believe both wood and steel studs are appropriate in the certain situations.

Consider the following:
-Steel studs are lighter than their wood counterparts
-Steel studs are much cleaner than wood studs considering the sawdust factor alone
-Steel studs are cheaper than the wood studs option
-Opinions vary on ease of use between the two...We have built with both depending on the situation...Wood is easier to cut with your mitre saw, but using tin snips on steel studs is also pretty straight forward once you get used to it (albeit the potential to cut your skin on steel studs is more likely when using snips for the first time)
-Also, look ahead to what you plan to hang on the walls after the studs and drywall are up.  For example, if you are planning on buying and hanging an 80" flat screen TV, go wood studs as many of the TV bracketing systems do not support TV hook-ups into steel stud walls.

Send us a message if you have any additional questions about the pros and cons of both steel and wood studs.

Take care!

Cabinet Wood Types

When considering what type of wood to select for your cabinets, here is a list of common wood types that you should think about:

Pine - a softer wood that it usually considered for a more rustic/cottage look and feel due to the knots within the wood.  Prone to dent easier than other woods due to its soft density. Typically on the lower cost than other woods as well.

Oak - a much harder and denser wood with open grains running through out it.  Typically much more durable and seen in a variety of different colours and shades.

Maple - another hardwood with less grain variation than Oak. 

Hickory - also another option to be considered when looking for a more rustic appearance.

Mahogony - provides more of a richer deep wood appearance, typically highlighted in accents of brownish/redish colour tones. 

Poplar - a common, more plentiful wood commonly used in cabinets.  A more cost effective wood used for many wood construction projects.

Top 10 Accents

Our clients are always ask us to spice up their custom built-in designs with some decorative accents.  So here is our top 10 list:

10-Columns
9-Capitals
8-Pilasters
7-Medallions
6-Corbels
5-Mouldings
4-Chair rails
3-Ornamentals
2-Upgraded Baseboards
1-Crown Moulding

Enjoy!

Wall Unit Designs

When designing a wall unit, there are different considerations that one must take into account before ordering one.

Let's start with dimensions...when measuring out your future wall unit, one must not only take into account the physical size of the wall unit cabinets, but also the additional real estate consumed by any decorative accents that sit on top and around the actual wall unit, such as crown moulding, as it can add a few additional inches to all sides of the structure.   Don't forget to also consider the size of additional furniture moulding, wood trim, decorative accents as well that you plan to add to your dimension drawings.

Next, remember to account for utilities and accessibility.  For example, if you would like a wall unit with potlights/accent lighting, you then need to ensure that you budget for the incremental costs of having your contractor/electrican prepare the area for your electric needs beforehand.  You also need to consider your power outlet needs and accessibility to these locations as well.

Now, depending on your TV, stereo and electronics needs, you will also need to consider how to implement hidden cabling for your TV, electronics, cable box, satellite box, speakers, Bluray/DVD players.

Permenant shelving vs adjustable shelving is also somethere to consider as your needs may change over time, and the flexibility of adjustable shelves allows you to modify as necessary so that you can ensure you enjoy your custom wall unit for a very long time!

Richelieu Handles, Hinges, and Knobs

When looking for beautiful handles, hinges and knobs, Richelieu has got you covered.   Whether it be Richelieu's extensive collection of decorative hardware that showcase a classic, contemporary or eclectic style preference, they have something perfect for everyone's taste. 

Their collection incorporates functionality, aesthetics and ergonomics into all of their designs.

With Richelieu's attention to environmental responsibility, you will be pleased to know they have introduced products which they classify into their 'green' product line (LEED(R) certified).

For over 40 years, they have served their customer base with the highest quality and most innovative hardware designs across North America.

Check out www.richelieu.com for more great product ideas. 

Top 10 Closet Accessories

With so many great closet accessories that are available on the market, we wanted to put together our top 10 list of  'must-have' closet accessories.  Hope you enjoy it!

1. Valet Rods
2. Belt Rods
3. Jewellery Trays / Watch Trays
4. Rolling Pant Racks
5. Shoe Fences
6. Crown/Base Moulding
7. Hampers
8. Ironing Boards
9. Hideaway Mirrors
10. Wardrobe Lifts

Kitchen and Bath Industry Show - April 24-26, 2012

Once again the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) will be taking place April 24-26, 2012 in Chicago at the McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616).  Showtime hours are from 9:00am – 5:00pm
Being the Kitchen & Bath industry’s main event, it is a fantastic show highlighting new trends and product releases in the kitchens and baths segments.  It is a great opportunity to participate in conference sessions hosted by industry leaders, meet new vendors, and network with industry experts.  The opening keynote is by Candice Olson, star of HGTV’s Divine Design and Candice Tells All.  

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show consists of  more than 500 supplier and manufacturers at the conference, 75 seminars topics highlighting the latest products for kitchen and bath.

Click here to go to the KBIS website for more information....

Toronto Closet Design Ideas

With the recent population growth in Toronto over the past decade, many people are looking for closet design ideas that maximize space and usability.

So....what should one consider when designing their closet? 

Lets start by looking at how you currently organize your space.  Consider the following:  Are you currently utilizing all the available space in your closet to its full potential? If not, how come?  Most people have enough closet 'real estate' but many do not have the ideal layout for their storage needs, so space is often underutilized or wasted needlessly.

So where to begin?   Lets start by looking at your current clothing needs and take stock of your current clothing inventory....So count the percentage of clothing categories that you use and how you manage them presently...For example, do you wear suits, do you wear sweaters, do you keep a shoe collection in your closet, how do you put-away your ties... etc....etc...

Once you collected your 'closet inventory' and respective percentages, next figure out the ratio of hanging items vs put-away items via shelves and drawers.  Once you figure out those metrics, it will make your closet design project much easier.

If you are in the greater Toronto area, feel free to give us a call to help you by producing a no-obligation 3-D optimized conceptual design for the layout of your closet, so you too can utilize your closet space to its fullest potential!...Good luck!

Closet Islands - Functional and Stylish

Considering a closet island as your centerpiece to your closet upgrade project?  I don't blame you, custom closet islands are one of the hottest requested items that we are hearing from our closet business.

Folks love to be able to layout what they are going to wear on a granite closet island.  Similar to a kitchen island whereby you layout hor dourves and appetizers for a party, you would similarily layout an evening dress or suit, shirt, and tie combo on it for a formal evening dinner.

Islands can also incorporate a seating area to allow space for trying shoes to match up with a selected outfit.  Islands can also incorporate hideaway zones for lockboxes, mini-safes and important document hide-away regions.

The possibilities are endless......

Toronto National Home Show Kicks Off....

Living in Toronto, many of us look forward to the National Home Show.  Once again it is time as it is kicking off its 2012 show tomorrow...

It runs from March 16-25, 2012 at the Direct Energy Centre at the CNE.  With over 800+ retailers/exhibiters/industry experts it will be another massive event.  Whether you are researching for a new home build, renovating your current place, or just checking out the latest trends for the coming year, I am sure that there is some interesting there for everyone.

Highlights this year include Bryan Baeumler, host of HGTVs Leave it to Bryan, House of Bryan, and Disaster DIY, I am sure his presentation is one not to miss!

Here is the Home Show website

Enjoy the show!

Custom Basements - Things To Considers Before Starting a Renovation

When deciding how to design your custom basement, many folks forget to take into account many considerations before having work started on their basements.  Ask yourself, "What should I consider when designing a basement..."

First, determine what is the basement going to be used for...perhaps:
-Secondary family room
-Playroom for the kids
-Additional bedrooms
-Kitchenette
-TV theatre room
-Entertaining wetbar / games room
-Custom bathroom / spa
Or a combination of any/all of these....the possibilities are ENDLESS :)

Now, once you figure your list of what you need/want, next is getting into the layout.  This process is very important to ensure you get the most out of your basement renovation project.  You need to walk around with a tape measure to get accurate dimensions of your potential rooms.  In an unfinished basement, use masking tape on the floor to envision walls, furniture, objects, and walkways (ie:  remember putting in a 4x8 pool table also requires a few feet of clearance around the entire table).  Typically, sketch out your layout with furniture on graph paper to get a better accurate idea of spacing.

Next, once you figure out the layout, you should list/sketch out all of your accessories (lamps, mini-fridge, tv, stereos, computers etc...).  This will help you map out and determine your electrical, heating/venting and lighting needs.  Don't forget to consider where your windows are for bringing in nature light as well into your custom basement design.

Check out our custom basement ideas or our picture gallery to get you started...

Good luck!